Check and Checkmate by Walter M. Miller
QR code
"Check and Checkmate" by Walter M. Miller, Jr. is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The story explores themes of political isolation, espionage, and the complexities of diplomacy amidst a backdrop of Cold War-era tensions. It delves into the consequences of communication breakdowns and the challenges of leadership in a dystopian world where power dynamics are influenced by both the masses and subterfuge. The plot centers on John Smith
XVI, the President of the Western Federation of Autonomous States, who is navigating a precarious political landscape defined by an artificial communication barrier with the East. As he attempts to establish a diplomatic relationship with Ivan Ivanovitch IX, the leader of the Asian Proletarian League, the narrative reveals the absurdities and dangers of their political machinations. The unmasking of both leaders leads to a realization of their precarious positions — both are trapped in systems that may betray them and manipulated by external forces. The story culminates in a high-stakes confrontation, highlighting the themes of identity, trust, and the relentless nature of conflict in governance. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Download for free
For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.
Kindle → Use Send-to-Kindle
- Download the EPUB3 file above
- Upload it on the Amazon site your Kindle is registered with: amazon.com/sendtokindle for the US, amazon.co.uk/sendtokindle for the UK etc.
- It appears on your Kindle and in the Kindle app
Kobo, Nook etc. → Transfer via USB
- Download the EPUB3 file on your computer
- Connect your e-reader by USB and tap "Connect" on its screen
- Drag the file onto the e-reader drive
Phone, Tablet or Computer → Online or Reading App
Easiest: read online in your browser. Nothing to install.
Or use a reading app:
- Find and install one you like, for example Apple Books, ReadEra or Thorium Reader
- Download the EPUB3 file above
- Open it in the app
More help: iPhone / iPad · Android · Computer
Other formats & older devices
There may be more files related to this item.
About this eBook
| Author | Miller, Walter M., 1923-1996 |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Beecham, Tom, 1926-2000 |
| Title | Check and Checkmate |
| Series Title | Produced from IF Worlds of Science Fiction January 1953. |
| Credits |
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 66.7 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Political fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 32837 |
| ISBN (HTML) | 979-8-238-32837-9 |
| Release Date | Jun 16, 2010 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 438 downloads in the last 30 days. |
Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!